K-5 teachers explore Citys arts education framework leading up to pilot implementation this fall

Portland Public Schools teachers engaged in a workshop on August 21, 2025, to prepare for the city's first arts education framework pilot, set to launch in the 2025-26 school year. Led by Arts Education Program Manager Dawn Isaacs, the initiative seeks to establish common definitions and metrics for assessing the quality of arts education across the city. The framework was developed through collaboration with six school districts and aims to identify essential conditions such as staffing and budgets needed for effective arts education. Isaacs emphasized that the pilot will reveal strengths and weaknesses in elementary arts programs, aiding community advocacy for resources. The framework will not evaluate individual teaching practices, instead providing a broader view of necessary conditions for quality education.

Educators will have opportunities to give feedback during the pilot, which will inform the full implementation planned for the 2026-27 school year. A public dashboard will subsequently report on key metrics, enhancing accountability for taxpayer investments in arts education. This initiative represents a significant step towards improving arts access and education quality for Portland's students.